Page 94 of Twins for the Mountain Daddies

I manage a shaky smile. “Tempting. But she’ll just send a search party.”

He grins, but there’s an uncertainty behind it, like he’s not sure if I’m joking or not. “All right. But I’m coming with you.”

I nod, grateful. He stands, offering me his hand and I don’t hesitate. Those eagle eyes spot me the second I step outside. And, the conversation goes south the second my mother opens her mouth.

“Ivy, darling.” My mother’s voice is as smooth and polished as the SUV she arrived in, but there’s an edge to it that sends a shiver down my spine. “I think it’s time to stop playing house and come home.” She looks at me like I’m a child who’s run away to join the circus, and I feel my resolve slipping as fast as my heart is racing.

No. I’m not going to let her steamroll me the way she always has.

“Mother,” I say, standing up and trying to find my footing. “What are you doing here?”

She raises an eyebrow, a perfectly manicured challenge. “I could ask you the same thing. This little tantrum of yours has gone on long enough.”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I’m torn between disbelief and anger, and I don’t know which one will win.

“We’ve all been very patient,” she continues, her gaze flicking to Holt with a hint of disapproval. “But it’s time to come back and take care of your responsibilities.”

I stare at her, the shock slowly giving way to a simmering fury. “Responsibilities?” I echo, my voice rising.

Her lips press together like she’s holding back a sigh, the way she always does when she thinks I’m being difficult. “Yes, Ivy. Your family. Your career. Caleb.”

I let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “Caleb? The same Caleb who very publicly cheated on me?”

She waves a dismissive hand, as if infidelity is nothing more than a minor inconvenience. “Caleb made mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s time to be an adult and work through them.”

My jaw drops, and for a moment, I can’t breathe. The world tilts, and I feel Holt’s hand on my back, steadying me. I thought I was prepared for this, but clearly, I was wrong.

“It’s time to get back to your life, Ivy.”

“Mylife?” The fury that’s been simmering ignites into something sharp and scalding. “You meanyourlife. Your career. Your reputation. Because that’s what this is really about, isn’t it? You don’t care about me. You care about what I can do for all of you. Without me, you don’t have your precious spotlight.”

“Ivy, that is not fair,” she huffs, exasperated. “You’ve been acting irrationally since this whole thing happened. You have to stop thinking about yourself and do what’s best for everyone.”

I want to scream, to cry, to curl into a ball and disappear, but instead, I find my voice. “I’m staying,” I say, the words stronger than I feel. “And I’m not coming back.”

“You’re being childish,” she says, her voice colder now. “Ungrateful. After everything we’ve done for you.”

“Ungrateful?” My anger flares, hot and consuming.

“Do you hear yourself?” My voice cracks, and I clench my fists, trying to hold onto the last fraying threads of control. “I spent my entire life being exactly what you wanted me to be. I smiled when I was supposed to, played the perfect girlfriend, the perfect daughter. And where did that get me? Alone. Humiliated. Betrayed.”

Her expression doesn’t change, and that’s what makes me snap.

“I amdonebeing a pawn in your perfect little world,” I seethe. “You can have it. Caleb. The fame. The money. I don’t want it. I don’t want any of it.”

Wyatt chooses that exact moment to step around the corner. His brows furrow at the sight of my mother and the barely restrained rage on my face. He looks at me, then at Holt, who is hovering at my side, ready to step in if I need him.

I don’t give my mother a chance to recover. I reach for both of them, lacing my fingers with Holt’s and turning toward Wyatt. “We’re done here.”

“Ivy—”

I don’t look back. I just keep walking, my heart pounding as I snag Wyatt’s hand, too, and lead them both toward the doctor’s office.

Chapter 44

Hank

The cabin’s quiet. Again.

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